Aman is known for the peace and often solitude in their hotels which started in remote parts of the world. Over the past three decades, Aman’s serene, minimalist and modern design have created a cult of Aman Junkies. Where’s there’s an Aman, as a Junkie myself, I will go. I’ve been to 17 of the 35 hotels around the world, and every experience is unique yet exquisite and peaceful. But as the market has evolved since Aman entered in 1988, so has the concept of Janu. Think of Janu as Aman’s more social sister, where the premise of Janu is human connections and interactions. I went to the first Janu which launched this year in Tokyo, and these are my thoughts.

Atmosphere

In addition to a more social atmosphere, Janu is also intended to be a slightly less luxurious version of Aman. I completely did not get that impression during my stay, as Janu looked and felt every bit as luxurious as Aman. From the common areas to the rooms, spa, and dining, the vibe is high-end. The furnishings and moldings are less Japanese in design as you go to the main lobby and bar on the 10th floor. However from the lobby, you have a direct view of the Tokyo Tower, so you have no doubt that you are in Japan.

A Lay of the Janu Land

The ground floor of Janu connects to the luxury shopping mall of Azubadai Hills. Additionally, you can access the casual Janu Mercato which has open food cooking stations. From this floor, there’s also access to the Aman stores and Ilgura, the fine-dining sushi restaurant that’s part of Janu. The point of laying this out is that, unlike Aman hotels, there’s a lot going on when you arrive at Janu. Outside guests also create a more lively environment than a traditional Aman hotel in a remote area.

The Crowd

The hotel had just opened a month or so prior to my arrival, so the social aspect is yet to be seen. At the time I was at Janu in May, the crowd was just starting to fill in. There was spillover from the buzzy area that Azabudai Hills has become from outside guests throughout the ground floor lobby. Upstairs in the lobby bar and restaurants were mainly hotel guests and some locals checking out the scene. In contrast, the scene at Aman is more established. It has a lobby full of elegant, chic, and attractive people at the restaurant Arva and bar area. I would predict that in six months that will also be the case with Janu. For now, the vibe had good energy and a team of staff to welcome you.

Rooms

The design of the rooms at Janu is unique. Where Aman has the Japanese minimalist aesthetic, Janu has a touch of Western contemporary. Most of the rooms have balconies with views of the surrounding Azabudai neighborhood. The prime rooms overlook Tokyo Tower. Entry-level rooms are generously sized with some of the Japanese sliding doors to partition the baths from the bedroom area. Baths are all luxurious and stocked with extra amenities like headbands, and special exfoliating body towels. Suites are contemporary with slight touches of Japanese design and are some of the biggest in Tokyo. The top suite is worthy of a Beyonce stay.

Spa + Pool + Gym

The spa, pool, and gym prove my point that Janu Tokyo is every bit as luxurious as any Aman I’ve been to. First, with the spa, there are several multi-level spa suites where you can experience a Turkish Hammam or Russian treatment. The whole spa, pool, and gym complex is over 40,000 square feet. The gym is state of the art and includes its own boxing ring, spin studio, and yoga room. The pool in all of this is the showstopper at 25 meters. There are several hot tubs and also a chill-out fireplace area. If you spent an entire day of your Tokyo time lounging at the pool it would be time well spent.

Dining

I had one of the top breakfasts at Janu, which is only open to hotel guests. You have an entire array of choices but when in Tokyo, the Japanese breakfast is the way to go. In this case, a photo is the only way to partially do it justice. There are ten small dishes that are presented beautifully.

There are eight dining and bar areas at Janu, so while you will go out for most of your meals, Janu is a dining destination. They have a traditional sushi omakase Ilgura where they don’t have a California roll. They also don’t add a lot of accoutrements to the fish so it’s the real deal experience. The Chinese restaurant was the most hopping during my stay for evenings.

Service

Just like its older sister Aman, Janu service is at the highest level. There’s never a case where there aren’t several people ready to help with your packages or luggage when you arrive. Check-in and checkout were handled with top efficiency. Housekeeping is done to perfection. When you ask something from the concierge, they do it for you. The team at the spa and gym make your entire experience seamless. In other words, the service was Japanese at its very best.

Overall: 8.4/10

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FAQs

Q: Where is Janu Tokyo located?

A: Janu Tokyo is located at 1 Chome-2-2 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan in the new Azabudai Hills neighborhood.

Q: How many Janu hotels are there around the world?

A: Currently Janu Tokyo is the first and only Janu in the world. However they have plans to open Janu in destinations like Montenegro and Saudi Arabia.

Q: What facilities does Janu have?

A: Janu has 122 guest rooms, eight dining and entertainment venues and a 4,000 sqm wellness centre.